Nestlé Waters North America, ROUSH CleanTech and Mickey Truck Bodies collaborated on 5 propane autogas Ford F-550 trucks that are now delivering the bottled water giant’s Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water in the Los Angeles market. The vehicles were sold through Midway Ford in Olathe, KS with the beverage bodies supplied by High Point, NC-based Mickey. The dedicated-propane systems were installed by ROUSH CleanTech in Michigan.

Nestlé cited the alternative fuel system for its full factory warranty, ease of fueling, low infrastructure cost and the unexpected benefit of lower electricity costs as key factors in the decision to go with the propane autogas trucks. The company currently operates over 2,000 trucks in the U.S. that are primarily fueled by diesel.

In a press release issued by ROUSH CleanTech, Bill Ardis, Fleet Manager of Nestlé Waters North America, said: “Nestlé Waters North America is committed to delivering customers drinking water with reliable, innovative and efficient green transportation solutions. Like many, we are evaluating the different technologies that offer savings over the life of the vehicle, and realized that propane autogas is a smart choice for reducing fuel and maintenance costs while providing cleaner air for the community.”

Rear panel of Arrowhead trucks tout the fact that they use “Clean Burning Propane Autogas.”

“Fueling beverage delivery trucks with propane autogas offers the best total cost of ownership, without compromising standard delivery procedures,” according to Todd Mouw, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “By choosing this safe, abundant and American-made fuel, fleets around the nation are reducing their operating costs and lowering their carbon footprint.”

“The Ford F-550 was a great project for all of us,” says Tom Arland, Mickey’s Vice President of Beverage and MEV Sales. “This build was truly a team effort between ROUSH CleanTech, Ford Motors, Nestlé and Mickey. We’re looking forward to working with ROUSH CleanTech on other projects offering this alternative fuel solution to the industry.”

About 90% of propane consumed in the United States is domestically produced, and an additional 7% comes from Canada. Propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. The processing of natural gas involves removal of ethane, butane, propane and heavier hydrocarbons. The oil refineries produce propane, butane and other gases as a by-product during crude oil refining. (Photos courtesy of Fleets & Fuels.)